Staff

Headteacher - Mrs Jane Whitehouse-SharpeHeadteacher – Mrs Jane Whitehouse-Sharpe

My name is Mrs Jane Whitehouse-Sharpe and I am the Headteacher of Shillingstone CE Primary School.  In school, I am the Assessment, Pupil Premium and Inclusion Leader. My role also includes being the Designated Safeguarding Officer, Looked After Children teacher, a main first aider and a member of the governing body.  I thoroughly enjoy working in the school and working alongside such a dedicated team.  When I am not at school, I really enjoy walking my dog and I love to go sailing and swimming.


Deputy / Desert Class - Mrs Sarah VailClass Teachers

Desert Class – Mrs Sarah Vail

My name is Sarah Vail. I teach Year 6, in Desert Class. I joined Shillingstone Primary in September 2008 and thoroughly enjoy my job! I joined the Governors in Spring 2010 and I have been part of the Senior Leadership team since September 2010. In school, I am also responsible for leading Numeracy, P.E. and French, co-ordinating Educational Visits, Deputy Safeguarding Officer and E-Safety leader. Our school building and grounds are fantastic; I feel very lucky to work in such a lovely place! I live in Wimborne with my husband, Matt and my two sons, Joseph and Thomas. We have two Golden Retrievers: a sensible eleven-year-old called Roo and a six-year-old called Arla. We also have a cat called Marble. When I am not at school, I like to spend time with my family and be outdoors as much as possible. I really enjoy running and our favourite family activities are camping, walking our dogs, camping and paddle boarding.

 

Ocean Class – Mr Johnathan Harris

My name is Johnathan Harris. I joined the school in September 2022 and I teach the Year 4 and 5 children in Ocean Class. 2022-23 was my first year into the wonderful world of teaching after successfully completing my teacher training at Poole SCITT. I feel extremely privileged to work at this amazing school and look forward to the learning journey the children and I will go through together. Currently, I live in Sturminster Newton. In my spare time, I enjoy going on long walks, cycling, reading and volunteer at a scout troop on Fridays.

 

Woodland Class – Mrs Charlotte Swaffield Ocean Class - Mrs Charlotte Swaffield

My name is Charlotte Swaffield and I teach Years 2 and 3 in Woodland Class. I joined Shillingstone Primary in 2014 after moving to Dorset from Hampshire. In school, I am responsible for leading PE and Literacy which I really enjoy. I particularly love cheering the children on when competing against other schools! I feel really luck to work at such a welcoming, friendly school in a beautiful location. I have just moved to Stalbridge and live with my husband, Gavin and my son Teddy. We also have a very lazy cat called Beau. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and walking our family puppy.

 


Jungle Class - Mrs Nicky BrayJungle and Woodland Class – Mrs Nicky Bray

My name is Mrs Bray and I teach in Jungle Class on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and in Woodland Class on a Fridays.  I love working at Shillingstone so much that I have been teaching here for nearly 20 years.  It is a very special school and I feel lucky to have been a part of the Shillingstone ‘family’ for so long.  In school I am responsible for leading RE, Geography and History and I am a Deputy Safeguarding Lead. I live in North Dorset with my husband, our three gorgeous boys (two of which are now taller than me!) and our 3 dogs.  In my spare time I like to run, read, manage an U10’s rugby team and help my husband at lambing time.


Jungle Class - Mrs Victoria PantherJungle Class – Mrs Victoria Panther

My name is Mrs Panther and I teach in Jungle Class on Thursdays and Fridays. I started in September 2016. I have been a teacher since 2007 and have spent most of my career in Cornwall, moving back to Dorset in 2015. I live with my husband Chris, a detective in the police force; my seven-year old son, Archie; Rose, my five-year old daughter; our two dogs, Peanut and Mr Charlie; and cat, Rocket. I love to read scary books and run as often as I can. I did my first triathlon last summer and hope to do more this year.

 

Desert and Ocean Class – Mrs Maria Higgs

My name is Maria Higgs. From September 2020 I am teaching 1 day each week in Desert Class with Year 6 and 1 day in Ocean Class with Year 4 / 5. I have spent over 27 years teaching across the primary age range and have just finished working at St Mary’s in Marnhull as the Year 5 / 6 Teacher for the last 6 years. Luckily I am now able to spend more time at home with my youngest child, Alexis, who is 7 years old, and to help out with my husband’s Timber and Joinery business.  We have a small holding with 8 dexter cows, sheep, chickens and a cat called Bixie. In my spare time I love walking, swimming, skiing, playing tennis, reading, running our holiday let  and spending time with my family. I also love music and spending time playing the piano and guitar. I am looking forward to leading hymn practices and co-ordinating school productions at school.

Jungle and Woodland Class – Mrs Joanne Clayton

My name is Jo Clayton and from September 2022 I have joined the teaching team at Shillingstone. Before this, I have taught at Okeford Fitpaine Primary School for many years. I will support the teaching in Jungle and Woodland Class and will cover PPA too. My hobbies are mainly music related.  I sing with the Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir and I also run a church choir.  I always have a craft or sewing project on the go.  I have three grown up girls and enjoy spending time with family. I am looking forward to being part of the Shillingstone team.

 

 

SENDCo – Mrs Jayne Cottingham

My name is Mrs Jayne Cottingham and I joined the team at Shillingstone in January 2021. I will be working on a Wednesdays as the SENDCo. I have worked in many settings as a SENDCo and have been teaching for a long time. I have taught from Reception to A level in my career and have had many different roles. I am looking forward to working with everyone at Shillingstone. I live in Puddletown with my husband and teenage daughter. We have many animals including 5 cats and 2 dogs, along with ducks, chickens and horses. I am a keen horsewoman and have ridden all my life and I still compete locally. As a family we are church bell ringers and ring mainly for Upwey church. I am the novice in the family on this activity but try my best. At home, I love growing vegetables and also have a huge wool stash, as I am a keen crochet fan along with enjoy sewing, knitting and embroidery.

 

Teaching Assistants


Desert Class – Mrs Hannah Greenland

My name is Hannah Greenland and previously I have been working at Okeford Fitpaine Primary School in the school office. From September 2022, I will be working as a one-to-one teaching assistant in Desert Class. My daughter attends the school and we both agree that it is a fantastic place to be: it’s in a great location and the vision and values of the school are important to both me and my child’s education. Outside of school, I love sport and am a particular fan of the Olympics/Paralympics. I also love going on holiday and spending time with my family.

 

Ocean Class – Miss Gemma Ryan Ocean Class - Miss Gemma Ryan

Hi, I’m Gemma Ryan and I joined the school in February 2017. My current role is working as a 1:1 teaching assistant in Ocean Class. Before joining the team at Shillingstone, I worked in a SEN school in various roles for nearly six years. I am part of a large extended family. I do not currently have any children but would like to have some in the future. I have many hobbies outside of school: I really enjoy baking yummy treats; reading pretty much anything; going to the cinema; taking photos as reminders of amazing days out; listening to music; and going on road trips to music festivals.

 

Ocean & Desert Class - Mrs Kim SuterOcean and Desert Class – Mrs Kim Suter

I moved to Shillingstone with my family in 2010 and joined the school in March 2011. I work as a teaching assistant, currently in Ocean and Desert Class and I am a member of the PTA. I have trained as an ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) and support children across the school. My youngest daughter attended the school and is now attending Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form in Wimborne. Shillingstone Primary is a fabulous place to be, especially with the wonderful views we have here! I like anything arty! Outside of school, I enjoy baking and decorating cakes, cycling, walking my dog with my family and doing cross-stitch.

Woodland Class – Mrs Pasquale Frewer

From September 2023, I will be working as a teaching assistant in Woodland Class.

Hello, I’m Pasquale and prior to joining the team at Shillingstone I worked as a TA and a one-to-one in a local primary school for three years. Before that I was a Baby and Pre School swimming Teacher. My son attended Shillingstone for a year and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I am excited to be joining the school he loved.
Outside of school I like to keep active by having an allotment plot as well as cycling and walking with my dog. When I am not doing that I can usually be found listening to music or curled up with a book

Jungle Class – Mrs Alex Mizzi

From September 2022, I will be working as a teaching assistant in Jungle Class.

 

Jungle Class – Mrs Victoria Bell

From September 2023, I will be working as a teaching assistant in Jungle Class.

I work as a teaching assistant in Jungle Class. I joined the school in September 2023 and prior to this I have been working in early years settings for 18 years.

My youngest child attends the school and my eldest child attended before leaving for high school. We all love the schools vision and values and I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Shillingstone team.

Outside of school I love spending my time walking and exploring the Dorset coastline with our family dog, Baxter!

Support Staff

School Administrator – Mrs Teresa Adams

I started working in the school office in Autumn Term 2 2022.

 


Hot School Meal Supervisor & Cleaner – Mrs Maxine Antell

I have been involved with Shillingstone Primary School for 20 years, first as a parent and member of the PTA, then as a lollipop lady and finally as a hot school meal supervisor and cleaner. Out of school, I enjoy reading and spending time with my grandson.


Caretaker – Mr Tony Fowler

I joined the staff at Shillingstone Primary as Caretaker/Handyperson in September 2014. I have two sons who are at the school. In my spare time I am a whitewater kayaker and coach and can be found at the Stour Valley Canoe Club most Saturday mornings.

Contact Us

For more information or to get in touch:

01258 860446
or by Email